Iranian nuclear stand-off ‘is not a crisis situation’

THE UN nuclear watchdog yesterday inched towards reporting Iran to the UN Security Council over fears it secretly seeks atomic bombs but the agency’s chief said Tehran did not pose “an imminent threat”.

US and EU leaders, aware that Russia, China and developing nations are keen to avoid a confrontation with Iran, said Security Council involvement did not mean an end to diplomacy or that Tehran would necessarily face UN sanctions.

Diplomats predicted that up to 30 of the 35 nations on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board would vote in favour.